Window assembly



June 22, 1943. H, W MACKEY 2,322,649

WINDOW ASSEMBLY Filed- March 1l 1940 HE-NRY vW. MACKEYd QA/Wm MM ATTQRNEYS Patented June 22, 1943 2,322,649 WINDOWl ASSEMBLY Henry W. Mackey, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Motor Products Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of New York Application March 11, 1940, Serial N0. 323,454

Claims.

This invention relates generally to vehicle body constructions and refers more particularly to im.- provements in the Window assemblies employed in vehicle bodies.

It is one of the principal objects of this in,- `vention to provide an improved guide means for the vertically slidable closure panel of a window assembly rendering it possible to employ a relatively simple, inexpensive, single arm regulator to operate the window panel and having provision for insuring movement of the opposite side edges of the panel by the regulator mechanism at a uniform rate. As a result, binding of the opposite vertical edges of the panel against the guide means and undue friction are eliminated.

Another advantageous feature of this invention resides in the provision of a window assembly wherein the vertically slidable closure panel, guide means for the closure panel, andthe means for insuring movement of the opposite vertical `edges of the panel at a uniform rate are connected together to form an assembly capable of being readily installed in the vehicle body as a unit.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the inner side of a door of a vehicle body equipped with a Window assembly constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational View of a portion of the construction shown in Figure 1 and having certain parts removed for the sake of clearness;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectionalview taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 6 6 of Figure l;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line I-l of Figure 1.

For the purpose of illustration, I have shown this invention in connection with a Ventilating window assembly mounted in a door of a vehicle body, although it will be understood as this de- CID scription proceeds that certain features of the invention are applicable to window assemblies regardless of whether they are of the Ventilating type and irrespective of whether they are mounted in a door of the vehicle body or in some other part of the body.

With the above in mind, reference is now made to Figure l of the drawing wherein the reference character IIl designates a vehicle body door having the usual window opening II through the upper end thereof and having a well I2 beneath the Window opening. In the present instance, the window opening II is closed by a Ventilating window comprising a vertically slidable closure panel I3 and a pivoted panel I4. The closure panel I3 is mounted in the rear portion of the window opening II for vertical sliding movement from a closed position in the window opening to a position within the well I2 and the panel I4 is pivotally mounted in the front portion of the Window opening for swinging movement about a substantially vertical axis I5 located between the front and rear edges of the -panel I4.

The two panels are located in a common Vertical plane when in their closed positions and cooperate with one another to completely close the window opening I I in the door I0. Any suitable means (not shown) may be provided for adjusting the pivoted panel I4 about the vertical axis I5 to extend the portion of the panel in advance of the axis I5 inwardly and to extend the portion of the panel in rear of this axis outwardly. As a result, an exchange of air is obtained between the interior 0f the vehicle body and the atmosphere exteriorly of the body.

'I'he vertically slidable panel I3 is moved relative to the pivoted panel by means of a single arm window regulator mechanism I6 mounted on the door structure in. advance of the path of travel of the vertically slidable panel I3. In general, the regulator mechanism comprises the usual gear segment Il and actuating pinion I8 adapted to mesh with the teeth on the segment I'I. The pinion I8 is rotated by a suitable operating handle I9 and the gear segment is connected to the lower edge of the glass panel I3 by means of an arm 20. The free end of the arm 2i) has the usual pin and slot connection with a bracket 2l having a portion secured to a glass retaining channel 22 intermediate the ends of the latter. The glass retaining channel 22 is, in turn, secured to the lower end of the vertically slidable panel I3 with the result that swinging movement of the arm 2B in opposite directions Aby the operating handle I9 effects alternate raising and lowering of the glass panel I3.

The space between the front edge of the vertically slidable panel I3 and the rear edge of the pivoted panel I4 is sealed in the closed position of both panels by means of a division bar 23. Upon reference to Figure 7, it will be noted that the division bar 23 has a rearwardly opening channel-shaped portion 24 for receiving the forward edge of the panel I3 and has a flange 25 projecting forwardly from the base of the channel-shaped portion 24 at the inner side of the window opening. The flange 25 forms an abut ment for the swinging edge of the pivoted panel I4 and serves to locate the latter in its closed position in the window opening.

The division bar 23 is secured tothe panel I3 for movement therewith as a unit'and the channel-shaped portion 24 of the bar projects downwardly to a position below the glass retaining channel 22 on the bottom edge of the panel I3. The lower end of the division bar is secured to the base of the glass retaining channel by means of a triangular shaped bracket 26 having a hori- Vzontal flange 21 at the upper edge riveted or otherwise secured to the base of the glass retaining channel 22 and having a laterally projecting vertical flange 28 riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the base of the channelshaped portion 24 on the division bar 23.

The rear edge of the closure panel I3 is guided in the window opening by means of a vertically extending forwardly opening channel-shaped section 29 having a forwardly projecting hori- 'zontal portion 30 at the upper end for receiving the upper edge of the closure panel I3 when the latter is in its closed position. The forwardly projecting portion 30 is extended around the `ventilator panel I4 and forms a frame 34 for the latter panel. The lower end of the channelshaped guide 29 terminates short of the well I2 in the door of the vehicle body and is secured to a vertical guide strip 3| by means of a brace 32. The verticalguide strip 3| is also channelshaped in cross section and forms a continuation of the guide 29 for receiving the rear edge of the glass panel I3 when the latter is lowered into the well I2,

The .forward edge of the glass panel I3 is guided during its movement into and out of the well I2 by means of a vertical guide strip 33 supported in the well in advance of the path of .travel of the division bar 23 so as not to interfere with the latter. In the present instance, the upperend of the guide strip 33 is secured to the frame 34 for the pivoted ventilator |14 by means of a bracket 35 and the lower end of the lstrip is secured to the lower end of the guide member 3| by means of a cross brace 36 which, in turn, is secured to the inside door panel by -means of the fastener elements 31.

Upon reference to Figure 3, it will be noted that the vertical guide strip 33 is of a modified channel-shaped cross section and is positioned with the channel opening rearwardly toward the front edge of the vertically slidable panel I3. The portions 38 of the opposed walls or flanges -of the channel-shaped guide 33 have a rolling lengagement with the teeth on the pinions.

able panel relative to the door is permitted without introducing any appreciable friction in the mechanism.

The rear end of the shaft 48 is rotatably supported in a bearing 44 carried by a bracket 45 which, in turn, is secured to the base of the glass retaining channel 22. The forward end of the shaft 40, on the other hand, is rotatably supported in a bearing 46 secured to the flange 28 on the bracket 25. Thus, it will be observed that the horizontal shaft 40 moves as a unit with the vertically slidable glass panel I3 in dependence upoqn the operation of the window regulator mechanism I6.

The opposite wall portions of the channelshaped guide 33 are fashioned to form inwardly opening opposed channel-shaped portions 4'I and 48. These channel-shaped portions extend for substantially the full length of the guide 33 and cooperate with one another to receive a pinion 49 vsecured to the forward end of the shaft 4D. The

width of the pinion 49 approximates the width of the channel-shaped portions 41 and 48 and the roller 39 acts as a spacer between the bearing 46 and the pinion 49. Inasmuch as the bearing 46 is secured to the vertically slidable panel I3 by means of the bracket 26, it follows that longitudinal shifting movement of the glass panel I3 relative to the guide 33 is prevented.

The opposite wall portions of the channelshaped guide 3| are also formed with opposed'inwardly opening channel-shaped portions 50 and 5|. These portions extend for substantially the full length of the guide 3| and cooperate with one another to receive a pinion 52. Upon reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the width permit any axial displacement of the shaft 40 required to compensate for any irregularities in the-channel portions 41 and 48 of the guide 33 and thereby prevents bending of the parts due to such irregularities.

` The base portions of both the channels 41 and 50 are fashioned with a plurality of teeth 53 for In the interest of economy, the teeth on the base portions of the channels 41 and 50 are formed by a rolling operation and the teeth on the base of the channel 50 have a length approximating the width of the channel so as to permitl the limited axial movement of the shaft 4|) desired to compensate for irregularities in the channels 41 and 48. It may also be pointed out at this time that the depth of the channel portions 48 and 5| is greater than the depth of the cooperating channels 41 and 50, respectively, so as to provide a clearance between the pinions andthe base portions of these channels.V

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be noted that the base portions of the channels 41 and 5U form a rack for engagement with the pinions 49 and 52, respectively, As a result, the opposite vertical edges of the slidable panel I3 are required to move at a uniform rate when the window regulator mechanism I6 is operated. This arrangement permits the use of a relatively simple, inexpensive, single arm window regulator and eliminates any possibility of the glass panel I3 tilting or becoming cocked-f during its movement. It will also be observed that the pinion 49 cooperates with the adjacent side walls of the channel portions 41 and 48 to insure a vertical straight line movementl of the glass panel I3. vIn addition, it

will be seen that the rollers 39 and 4I cooperate with their respective guides to prevent lateral shifting Vmovement of the glass panel I3 during its travel. r

A still further important feature of invention resulting from the foregoing construction is that the slidable glass panel I3 and its associated guiding mechanism previously described, together with the pivoted panel I4, form an assembly capable of being installed in the door as a unit. The manner of inserting the unit in the door forms no part of the present invention and is described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 323,454 filed March 11, 1940.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In a vehicle body having a Window opening and having a well below the window opening, a vertically slidable closure panel movable from a position within the well to a position within said window opening, a pair of vertically extending guide members substantially channel-shaped in cross section located in said well with the channels opening toward each other and with one guide member positioned adjacent one vertical edge of the closure and with the other guide member positioned adjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure member, the ilanges of each channel guide member having inwardly openingl Vregistering channel-shaped portions intermediate the ends extending for substantially the full length of the guide members, the base of one channel-shaped portion on each guide having a series of rack teeth, a pair of revoluble pinions carried by the closure and positioned within the inwardly opening channel-shaped portions of the flanges on the guide channels for engagement with the rack teeth, and a pair of rollers carried by the closure at the inner sides of the rack teeth and respectively extending between the free ends of the flanges on the channel-shaped guide members for rolling engagement with the inner surfaces of the flanges.

2. In a vehicle body having a window opening and having a well below the window opening, a vertically slidable closure panel movable from a position within the well to a position in said window opening, a pair of vertically extending inwardly opening channel-shaped guide members located in the window well with one member positioned adjacent one vertical edge of the closure and with the other member positioned adjacent the opposite edge of the closure, a horizontal shaft rotatably supported on the closure and having the opposite ends respectively extending into the channel-shaped guides, a pair of pinions respectively secured to opposite ends of the shafts and located in the channel-shaped guides, a vertical series of rack teeth on each of the channel-shaped guides respectively meshing with the pinions, one of the vertical guides havlng guiding surfaces extending in the direction of sliding movement of the closure and slidably engaging opposite sides of the adjacent pinion for guiding the closure in a straight line path of trave1 and the other vertical guide member being free from sliding contact with said other pinion to reduce friction to a minimum.

3. In a vehicle body having a window opening and having a well below the window opening, a vertically slidable closure panel movable from a position in the well to a position in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guide members substantially channel shaped in cross section located in the well with the channels the present A opening toward each other and with one guide member positioned adjacent one vertical edge of the closure and With the other guide member positioned adjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, theanges of each guide member having inwardly opening registering channelshaped portions intermediate the ends extending for substantially the full length of the guide member, the base of one channel-shaped portion on each guide member having a series of rack teeth, a horizontal revoluble shaft movable as a unit With the closure panel and having the opposite ends respectively extending into the channel guides, a pair of pinions respectively secured to opposite ends of the shaft and respectively positioned within the inwardly opening channelshaped portions on the guide channels for engagement with the rack teeth, the opposite sides of the registering channel portions on one guide member having a sliding engagement With the adjacent sides of the pinion therein to prevent fore and aft shifting movement of the closure panel, and a pair of rollers mounted on said shaft and respectively extending between the free ends of the flanges on the channel-shaped guide members to prevent lateral shifting movement of the closure panel.

4. In a vehicle body having a window opening and having a well below the window opening, a vertically slidable closure panel movable from a position within the well to a position in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending inwardly opening channel shaped guide members located in the window well with one member adjacent one vertical edge of the closure and with the other member positioned adjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, a revoluble shaft carried by the closure and having the opposite ends respectively extending into the channel shaped guides, a vpair of pinions respectively secured to opposite ends of the shafts and located in the channel shaped guides, a vertical series of rack teeth on each of the channel shaped guides respectively meshing with the pinions, the relative widths of one of the pinions and its associated guide being predetermined to avoid frictional contact of either side of the pinion with the guide, and the relative widths of the other pinion and its associated guide being predetermined to provide a sliding contact between opposite sides of the latter pinion and the adjacent walls of its associated guide.

5. In a vehicle body having a window opening and having a well below the window opening, a vertically slidable closure panel movable from a position in the Well to a position in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guide members substantially channel shaped in cross section located in the well with the channels opening toward each other and with one guide member positioned adjacent one vertical edge of the closure and with the other guide member positioned adjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, the flanges of each guide member having inwardly opening registering channel shaped portions intermediate the ends extending for substantially the full length of the guide member, the base of one channel shaped portion on each guide member having a series of rack teeth, a horizontal revoluble shaft movable as a unit with the closure panel and having the opposite ends respectively extending into the channel guides, a pair of pinions respectively secured to opposite ends of the shaft and respectively positioned within the inwardly opening channel shaped portions on the guide channels for engagement with the rack teeth, the registering and the registering channel portions on the other guide having a width predetermined to slidably contact opposite sides of the associated pinion and thereby prevent shifting movement of. the

v 5 shaft in the direction of its axis.

HENRY W. MACKEY. 

